HELENA, Mont. – The Carroll College football team earned their first win of the season Saturday afternoon defeating rival Montana Tech 31-17 at Nelson Stadium.
The Saints got off to a hot start in the first quarter. After forcing a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, Montana Tech botched the snap on their punt and gave the ball to Carroll on the one yard line.
Michael Maafu carried the ball for a one-yard touchdown on the Saints' first offensive play to put the Saints up 7-0.
Carroll's defense continued to hold strong, forcing another three-and-out on the ensuing Tech possession.
On their next possession, the Saints marched 69 yards on 11 plays and scored via a
Duncan Kraft one-yard touchdown run. This would not be the last of Kraft in this ballgame.
The Saints' defense forced a third consecutive three-and-out and proceeded to march once more. 13 plays and 57 yards later,
Stephen Powell knocked in a 31-yard field goal putting Carroll up 17-0 with 12:54 remaining in the second quarter. The score remained that way for the rest of the first half.
It was Montana Tech who got on the scoreboard first in the second half. They put together a 10 play, 52-yard drive to get on the board for the first time in the contest. Jet Campbell found Trevor Hoffman from 19 yards out to make the score 17-7.
Carroll regained their 17-point lead with 4:23 remaining in the third quarter courtesy of another
Duncan Kraft touchdown. This time he took it in from nine yards out.
The Orediggers responded with 10 straight points of their own. With 18 seconds left in the third quarter, Jared Griffith knocked in a 32-yard field goal. Then Tech got the ball back and Jet Campbell found Kyle Torgerson for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 7:28 left to get within seven.
The Orediggers were breathing down the necks of the Saints, but Carroll was able to answer the call and ice the game throughout the final seven minutes. They were able to milk the clock with a 14 play, 77-yard drive that ended with
Duncan Kraft's third touchdown of the game with 1:43 to play.
The final dagger for the Saints came when
TJ Abraham intercepted Jet Campbell to set up victory formation and secure a 31-17 Carroll victory.
Duncan Kraft, a redshirt-freshman running back out of Billings, Mont., was the star of the show today for Carroll. He finished with 148 rushing yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns.
For the Orediggers, who are now 0-2 on the year, it was Trevor Hoffman who provided the spark for their offense. The senior receiver from Renton, Wash., had six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
With this win, the Saints are now 7-1 at Nelson Stadium under head coach
Troy Purcell. Their overall record for this season is 1-1 and they will have their first of two byes next week. The next game will come on September 18, when they host Eastern Oregon at Nelson Stadium.
